Dovetail Health Selects Program Members Using DST Health Solutions' CareAnalyzer with Johns Hopkins ACGs to Achieve Significant Reductions in Readmission Rates

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DST Health Solutions, LLC, today announced the availability of a new case study highlighting the implementation and success of its CareAnalyzer system at Dovetail Health, a Needham, Mass.-based health care organization designed to provide critical support to high-risk patients at home. The report, entitled "Dovetail Health Prevents Re-Admissions in High-Risk Patients Using CareAnalyzer from DST Health Solutions," also features results from Dovetail's recent work with Health New England, including a reduction in Medicare Advantage readmissions by 36 percent annually.

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Dovetail Health used DST's CareAnalyzer to refine the process of selecting high risk health plan members by leveraging John's Hopkins ACGs (Adjusted Clinical Groups) and health plan administrative data.  High risk plan members are then targeted for proactive case management and personalized treatment programs. 

"High-risk patients represent an enormous financial obstacle for health plans," said Jeffrey Oberg, Director of Account Management, Dovetail Health.  "That's why we work with health plans to identify patients with a high likelihood of returning to the hospital and then implement programs that stabilize and manage patients at home, keeping them out of the hospital."   

As referenced in the case study, Dovetail Health uses DST's CareAnalyzer analytics to identify members at risk for adverse health outcomes after hospitalization.  Industry research suggests that as much as two-thirds of adverse events that occur post-discharge are a result of medication issues.  To mitigate these risks, Dovetail Health sends a clinical pharmacist into high-risk patients' homes to review medication therapies, identify potential interactions, and educate the patient on the importance of adherence.  In addition, patients receive personalized chronic illness coaching to help them more effectively partner with the health plan and their doctors to better manage their own health.

The care coordination promoted by this program positively impacts both the cost and quality of care. Readmissions account for approximately 16 percent of patients discharged, and cost an average of $6,000 to $10,000 per readmission. Patient safety is improved as are health outcomes resulting from the clinical review of the medication therapy combined with the promotion of patient education and engagement.  

"The majority of patients in our program have significant medication reconciliation and medication adherence issues," says Lara Terry, M.D., Medical Director for Dovetail Health. "This is a population where investing in more services and highly personalized interventions makes sense for both the health plan and the member." 

"DST Health Solutions is proud to be part of the Dovetail Health transition management program provided to Health New England's members, and of the positive impact of DST's CareAnalyzer to measure and reduce clinical and financial risk," said Steve Sabino, President of DST Health Solutions. "We believe the use of this analytical solution is resulting in significant gains in the quality of patient care and an efficiency to provide that care."

To order a PDF of the case study, "Dovetail Health Prevents Re-Admissions in High-Risk Patients Using CareAnalyzer from DST Health Solutions," click here.

About Dovetail Health
With a sole focus on preventing readmissions among the highest risk patients, Dovetail Health is a leading provider of transitional care services. Combining unique in-home pharmacist care managers with comprehensive infrastructure and customized technology systems, Dovetail has delivered reductions in readmissions for its health plan, provider group and hospital partners. For more information, contact Dana McNally at [email protected] or visit www.dovetailhealth.com.

About DST Health Solutions
DST Health Solutions, LLC delivers systems and services that help improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, increase speed to market, and facilitate medical cost management and price containment. Our clients include commercial health plans, consumer-directed plans, government plans (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and Medicaid) and physician practices. DST Health Solutions' enterprise applications and outsourcing services include claims processing, member and provider management, benefit plan management, new product development, care management and medical management, and decision support/analytics. DST Health Solutions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. For more information about DST Health Solutions, contact 800.272.4799, email [email protected] or visit www.dsthealthsolutions.com.

The information and comments above may include forward-looking statements respecting DST and its businesses. Such information and comments are based on DST's views as of today, and actual actions or results could differ. There could be a number of factors affecting future actions or results, including those set forth in DST's latest periodic financial report (Form 10-K or 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such factors should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking comment. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect future events.

SOURCE DST Health Solutions